Cal Sport Media via AP ImagesThe search for Craig Strickland ended Monday after authorities found him dead. He was 29.
A spokesperson for Oklahoma Highway Patrol confirmed to E! News that the family had been notified the family. Shortly after Helen Strickland, Craig's wife, tweeted in response to the news. "#CraigStrickland was found today. He is safe with his Father in Heaven," she wrote. "Thank you Lord for leading us to him today. I will praise you, Amen."
Strickland and his friend, Chase Morland, were reported missing 7 days ago. Morland's body was found dead last week in Kaw Lake, Oklahoma. The two friends embarked on a duck-hunting trip together, but somehow foreshadowed the tragedy to come. "In case we don't come back, @BackroadCRAIG and I are going right through Winter Storm Goliath to kill ducks in Oklahoma," Marland tweeted. "#IntoTheStorm."
Helen has been giving fans updates of the search efforts over the past week, including when authorities discovered Craig's dog, Sam, alive. "For everyone wanting to know, Sam is fine. He was a brave boy," she wrote on social media. "He wouldn't leave Chase's body until the Warden found him." She also shared a photo of the adorable black Labrador.
The Backroad Anthem singer received an outpouring of thoughts and prayers, including from his fellow band member and good friend, Toby Freeman. "Bro I love you," he tweeted. "We miss you come home soon #prayersforCraig."
Freeman also opened up to People about Sam's discovery and revealed it gave him and Craig's family more hope. "Craig's dog being found alive is a very good sign," Freeman told the magazine. "That's a piece of hope that we're actually clinging on to."